Gor Mahia Coach Hassan Oktay Tears into Dylan Kerr’s Antics

Gor Mahia head coach Hassan Oktay believes his side has a better chance of progressing to the money-spinning group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup for the second successive season.

The record Kenyan champions traveled to Cameroon today morning with a slim advantage after beating New Stars 2-1 in the first leg encounter at Kasarani Stadium last Sunday.

But to qualify to the last 16, K’Ogalo, who secured a morale-boosting 4-1 victory in a mid-week domestic league fixture against Mount Kenya United, must at avoid defeat in Sunday’s reverse tie in Limbe.

And with Gor’s qualification having been left on precarious position after conceding at home, a bullish Oktay has challenged his charges to be at their best to sail through.

However, they will have to do without the suspended duo of captain Harun Shakava and Joash Onyango.

“I’m not worried at all about the goal we conceded at Kasarani. We created many chances, but we were denied a goal and three penalties only for the referee to give them (New Stars) an offside goal,” lamented Oktay.

“All, the same, I’m very confident and comfortable with the way we are playing.”

“We are going to Cameroon to win, nothing else. We will play the same way we have been doing in other matches. We are becoming stronger and better with every match and I believe we can dominate the game there”

“The referees were a bit unfair in the first leg, but we have a chance to finish off the job there. Wednesday’s league win was a motivating result for us after rotating over six players. We are really positive and looking forward to the New Stars match.”

While the tactician is buoyed by their recent impressive league results, he warned his charges of the arduous task ahead.

“I have had a meeting with my players and they know it will not be easy in Limbe. We must be mentally and physically strong.”

But the Turkish took a jibe at his predecessor Dylan Kerr’s coaching tactics before playing down striker Ephraim Guikan’s angry reaction after being substituted during Mount Kenya’s match.

“Pre-season is very important for players and it helps them a lot. But one thing for sure, last year’s type of training didn’t help the players at all.”

“The Brazilian did a great job here, but last year the players didn’t develop. It is not a good thing you know,’’ said Oktay.

“Yes, it was a tactical substitution but Guikan needs to work hard to achieve something. We can talk about his attitude and I can manage it easily. This is not a big problem for me.”

After the return match on Sunday in Cameroon, Gor Mahia will fly directly to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for the SportPesa Super Cup tournament that kicks off on January 22.

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